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'She had a completely different mindset': How Dream knew Angel Reese would dominate Game 2

Angel Reese’s transformation from Game 1 to Game 2 of the WNBA Finals defined the Atlanta Dream’s turnaround. After a disappointing 68-64 loss to the Golden State Valkyries—where she scored nothing in the second half—Reese took full ownership of the team’s struggles, vowing not to repeat the same mistakes.

Her Game 2 performance was nothing short of dominant: 30 points and 16 rebounds, including a 15-point second-half surge, as the Dream evened the series at 1-1. Reese became the youngest player in WNBA Finals history to record a 20-10 game, joining an elite company with her historic output in just her third season.

The Dream’s defense tightened around her, forcing Golden State into 18 turnovers while Atlanta capitalized with 19 fast-break points and just 28 Valkyries second-half points, a stark contrast to the close first half (39-37 at halftime). Coach Karl Smesko noticed Reese’s shift immediately, calling her performance ‘superior’ and praising her leadership on both ends of the floor.

Her intensity set the tone, rallying the team after a disappointing start and shifting momentum in Atlanta’s favor.

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